Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoBROOKE LaVALLEY | DispatchQuarterback Braxton Miller sails into the end zone for a touchdown, contributing to Ohio State's 21-point third quarter against Penn State.

Thursday December 6, 2012 7:12 PM

Right stuff

QB Braxton Miller returned from injury to record his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season, amassing 134 yards and two TDs. And, for perhaps the first time all season, the defense played lights-out, limiting Penn State to 71 yards rushing and pressuring QB Matt McGloin.

Wrong turn

The Buckeyes had a punt blocked for a touchdown for the third time in the season, giving the Nittany Lions a 7-0 lead. Miller’s passing was shaky: He completed only 7 of 19 attempts and missed an early scoring chance with a bad overthrow of receiver Corey Brown.

Key moments

Linebacker Ryan Shazier fueled a 21-point third quarter for Ohio State when, on the third play of the second half, he intercepted a McGloin pass and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown. The Buckeyes nailed down the win on a 72-yard TD pass from Miller to receiver Jake Stoneburner.

AP rank

With Oregon State and Florida losing, only six teams remained unbeaten. The Buckeyes were ranked fifth among them — and No. 6 overall, behind Alabama, Oregon, Kansas State, Notre Dame and one-loss LSU.

Quotable

“The coaches said that was the Silver Bullets defense we played. More important, I think it was a great overall team win. A lot of games, the defense plays well, but the offense doesn’t play that great — or vice versa. This was a team game today.” — safety C.J. Barnett, recalling OSU’s standard of defensive excellence